Biography

NoteCARDS:

The Cardinals first-round selection (27th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bucannon became just the second safety ever selected by the team in the first round, and first since Ken Greene (19th overall) in 1978.

Has played in the box as a dollar linebacker during his first three NFL seasons, appearing in 45 games (38 starts) and recorded 302 tackles, five sacks, an INT (returned for a TD), 10 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. He has also appeared in all three postseason games (two starts) in that span, posting 22 tackles and a pass defensed.

Had a team-high 100 tackles in 2016 despite missing last three games on injured reserve (ankle). Added seven tackles for loss, four passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 13 starts.

Led the team with a career-high 127 total tackles in 2015. He also tied for the team lead with 17 tackles for loss, while adding three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three sacks and an INT he returned 39 yards for a TD.

Named the “NFC Defensive Player of the Week” for his performance in the Week 15 victory over the Eagles in 2015. Bucannon had the first INT of his career against Philly and returned it 39 yards for his first career TD. He also led the Cardinals with 11 tackles in the game.

During his rookie season in 2014, started nine of 16 regular season games and also appeared in the team’s Wild Card matchup. He registered 75 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the regular season as he was named to the PFWA’s All-Rookie team as a safety.

Pro Career:

The Cardinals first-round selection (27th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bucannon has appeared in 45 regular season games (38 starts) and three postseason games (two starts) during his first three NFL seasons.

NoteCARDS:

The Cardinals first-round selection (27th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bucannon became just the second safety ever selected by the team in the first round, and first since Ken Greene (19th overall) in 1978.

Has played in the box as a dollar linebacker during his first three NFL seasons, appearing in 45 games (38 starts) and recorded 302 tackles, five sacks, an INT (returned for a TD), 10 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. He has also appeared in all three postseason games (two starts) in that span, posting 22 tackles and a pass defensed.

Had a team-high 100 tackles in 2016 despite missing last three games on injured reserve (ankle). Added seven tackles for loss, four passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 13 starts.

Led the team with a career-high 127 total tackles in 2015. He also tied for the team lead with 17 tackles for loss, while adding three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three sacks and an INT he returned 39 yards for a TD.

Named the “NFC Defensive Player of the Week” for his performance in the Week 15 victory over the Eagles in 2015. Bucannon had the first INT of his career against Philly and returned it 39 yards for his first career TD. He also led the Cardinals with 11 tackles in the game.

During his rookie season in 2014, started nine of 16 regular season games and also appeared in the team’s Wild Card matchup. He registered 75 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the regular season as he was named to the PFWA’s All-Rookie team as a safety.

Pro Career:

The Cardinals first-round selection (27th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bucannon has appeared in 45 regular season games (38 starts) and three postseason games (two starts) during his first three NFL seasons.

2016: Started first 13 games before being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury … led the team for second straight season with 100 tackles and added seven tackles for loss, four passes defensed, one fumble recovery, two QB hits, two QB pressures and two special teams tackles … collected six tackles and one special teams tackle vs. NE (9/11) … recorded six tackles, including one for loss vs. TB (9/18); also had one pass defensed, one QB pressure and a QB hit … had four tackles and one special teams tackle @ Buf (9/25) … registered five tackles vs. LAR (10/2) … posted a career-high and team-leading 15 tackles, including 12 solo stops and one tackle for loss @ SF (10/6) … notched five tackles and one pass defensed vs. NYJ (10/17) … tied career high with a team-best 15 tackles vs. Sea (10/23); marked second 15-tackle performance in three-game span … shared team lead with 10 tackles and had one pass defensed @ Car (10/30) … collected a team-best eight tackles, including one for loss, and added one pass defensed vs. SF (11/13) … recovered a Sam Bradford fumble in the fourth quarter to help set up a TD @ Min (11/20); also tied for team lead with seven tackles … had five tackles @ Atl (11/27) … led the team with both eight tackles and three tackles for loss vs. Was (12/4) … recorded six tackles, including one for loss @ Mia (12/11); left game with an ankle injury … placed on injured reserve (ankle) on 12/13.

2015: Started all 16 games at the team’s dollar LB position and led the Cardinals with a career-best 127 tackles … tied for team lead with 17 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries … added one INT that he returned for a TD, three sacks, four passes defensed, two QB pressures, two QB hits and three special teams tackles … had seven or more tackles in 12 of 16 games and led the team in tackles eight times … started both postseason games and totaled 16 tackles … tied previous career high with eight tackles and forced a Jay Cutler fumble in the second quarter @ Chi (9/20); also had one tackle for loss … led the team with 13 tackles, including a team-best three for loss @ Det (10/11) … recorded first sack of the season on Russell Wilson in the third quarter @ Sea (11/15); led the team with seven solo tackles, including one for loss … recovered an Andy Dalton fumble in the fourth quarter to help set up a FG vs. Cin (11/22); sacked Dalton for an 11-yard loss earlier in the fourth quarter and totaled eight tackles, two for loss, and a pass defensed ... notched five tackles, including one for loss @ SF (11/29); tackled Shaun Draughn for a six-yard loss on 2nd-n-1 in the fourth quarter to help force a punt and set up game-winning TD drive … forced and recovered a Jairus Wright fumble at the AZ 15 in the second quarter vs. Min (12/10); added 10 tackles, including two for loss … collected first career INT and returned it 39 yards for his first NFL TD on the opening play of the fourth quarter @ Phi (12/20); added a team-leading 11 tackles and one pass defensed; named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career … sacked Aaron Rodgers and forced a fumble on the play vs. GB (12/27); helped Cardinals total nine sacks in the game (third-best single-game total in franchise history and most since recording 10 sacks on 12/7/86 at Philadelphia); added six tackles and one pass defensed … registered a team-high 11 tackles and one special teams tackle vs. Sea (1/3/16) … tied for the team lead with nine tackles, including one for loss in Divisional Playoff vs. GB (1/16/16).

2014: Appeared in all 16 games and made nine starts … finished third on the team with 75 tackles and also had two sacks, four tackles for loss, two passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … added five special teams tackles, one QB pressure and one QB hit …. started in his NFL debut and had four solo tackles, including one for loss, and one special teams tackle vs. SD (9/8) … recovered Josh Huff’s fumble at the 2-yard line in the second quarter for his first career fumble recovery vs. Phi (10/26); had eight tackles, a QB pressure and one pass defensed, breaking up a pass intended for Zach Ertz in the end zone on the second-to-last play of the game to help the Cardinals secure a 24-20 victory … had four tackles, including a stop of DeMarco Murray for no gain on 4th-n-1 in the fourth quarter @ Dal (11/2); also had one pass defensed and one special teams tackle … registered his first career sack vs. StL (11/9), taking down Austin Davis to force a punt in the second quarter; totaled five tackles … led the team with seven tackles and added one special teams tackle vs. Det (11/16) … notched his second career sack @ Sea (11/23), bringing down Russell Wilson on 3rd-n-goal in the second quarter to force a FG; totaled six tackles, including one for loss, and a QB hit … forced a Travis Kelce fumble at the AZ 16-yard line with less than six minutes remaining and the Cardinals leading 17-14 vs. KC (12/7); marked first career forced fumble; also had three solo tackles … collected six tackles and one pass defensed in Wild Card game @ Car (1/3/15).

College:

Started 43 of 49 games at Washington State, ranking fifth in the nation while leading all defenders in the Pac-12 with 384 total tackles, good for fourth in school history … 384 tackles were also the most ever by a Cougar DB, and his 268 solo tackles were the most among players in the NCAA Football Bowl Division … finished third in school history with 15 career INTs, which also tied the most for any active major college player … added a sack, 13.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass defensed and a blocked punt, in addition to causing seven fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his time with the Cougars … as a senior in 2013, earned first-team All-American honors and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back after recording a team-high 114 tackles (78 solo), six INTs, 4.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior … marked third time in his career (freshman, junior) that he led the team in tackles … 114 total tackles ranked second in the league and his 78 solo stops led the Pac-12 and placed 11th nationally … his six INTs led the conference and ranked ninth nationally … an All-American honorable mention and All-Pac-12 Conference first-team choice by The NFL Draft Report as a junior in ‘12, he led the team with 106 tackles (65 solo), his first career sack, four INTs, a career-high eight passes defensed, a forced fumble and six special teams tackles … his 106 tackles were the most by a Cougar since (former Cardinals) LB James Darling posted 106 stops in 1996, as he averaged 8.8 tackles per game … produced at least 10 tackles in seven of his 11 starting assignments … started 11 of 12 games played as a sophomore in ‘11, finishing second on the team with 80 tackles (58 solo), while adding three INTs, two tackles for loss, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble … also blocked a punt on special teams … All-Pac-10 Conference Freshman team choice after starting eight of 12 games at strong safety in ‘10, including his final seven contests … led all of the league’s freshmen (15th overall) with a team-high 84 tackles (67 solo), including four tackles for loss, while adding two INTs, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Personal:

First name pronounced ‘day-OWN’ … attended Vanden (Fairfield, CA) High School, where he lettered in football as a junior and senior … as a senior, started at both strong safety and wide receiver and for the second consecutive year earned Southern California Alateen Conference (SCAC) Defensive Player of the Year accolades in addition to being selected to the All-Solano County League and All-City first teams … helped the Vikings reach the second round of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs, as they finished the 2009 season with a 10-2 record … totaled 107 tackles, two INTs, eight passes defensed, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles on defense and he tallied 20 receptions for 264 yards on offense … played his first full season of football as a junior in ’08 … lettered four times for the Vanden High golf team … General Studies major.